Donny van de Beek, a former Manchester United player now plying his trade at Girona, found himself at the center of unwanted attention after conceding a penalty that led to Liverpool’s 1-0 victory in a pre-season friendly. While Liverpool weren’t at their most fluent, the match swung in their favor after Van de Beek’s clumsy challenge on Luis Diaz inside the box. The incident, occurring in the 63rd minute, saw Van de Beek step on the back of Diaz’s left foot, causing his boot to come off as the Colombian winger tumbled to the ground. Despite the missing footwear, Diaz bravely attempted a shot, but the lack of grip on his sock-clad foot resulted in a slip, solidifying the penalty decision. Mo Salah stepped up and confidently converted the spot-kick, extending his pre-season tally to 15 goals and maintaining Liverpool’s perfect record in their Champions League campaign with six wins from six matches.
The incident immediately sparked reactions online, with many football fans, particularly Manchester United supporters, taking to social media to express their amusement and frustration. Some comments highlighted the irony of Van de Beek, despite having left Manchester United, still managing to negatively impact the club’s fanbase through his actions on the pitch. The incident served as a painful reminder for some United fans of Van de Beek’s underwhelming tenure at Old Trafford, where he struggled to make a significant impact. Others simply poked fun at the unfortunate nature of the foul and the player’s history of struggling to live up to expectations.
Van de Beek’s time at Manchester United was largely characterized by limited opportunities and a lack of consistent form. Signed for a reported £25 million, the Dutch midfielder failed to establish himself in the starting XI, making just 62 appearances across three seasons, with only 23 of those being starts. His goal return was equally disappointing, with a mere two goals to his name during his Old Trafford spell. Following loan spells at Everton and Eintracht Frankfurt, Van de Beek finally secured a permanent move away from Manchester United, joining Girona in the summer transfer window.
The pre-season friendly against Liverpool provided Van de Beek with an opportunity to showcase his abilities against Premier League opposition. However, the unfortunate penalty incident overshadowed his performance and brought back unwelcome memories for both the player and Manchester United fans. The incident underscores the challenges Van de Beek has faced in his career and the pressure he is under to prove his worth at his new club, Girona.
The incident also highlights the fine margins in football and how a single moment of clumsiness can alter the course of a game. While Liverpool’s overall performance wasn’t particularly impressive, they capitalized on the opportunity presented by Van de Beek’s error, securing a victory that extended their winning streak. For Girona, the match served as a valuable learning experience, emphasizing the importance of maintaining discipline and avoiding costly mistakes, particularly against top-level opponents like Liverpool.
For Van de Beek, the incident represents a setback in his quest to rebuild his career and establish himself as a key player for Girona. While pre-season matches are primarily focused on fitness and tactical preparation, the negative attention surrounding the penalty incident is likely to add pressure on the Dutchman. He will undoubtedly be eager to put the incident behind him and focus on delivering strong performances in the upcoming competitive season, proving his doubters wrong and showcasing his true potential.
